The
Poesies of George
Gascoigne Esquire.
Corrected,
perfected, and
augmented by the Author. 1575.
Tam
Marti, quam Mercurio.
at London by H. Bynneman for Richard Smith.
These
Books are to be sold at the Northwest door of Paul’s Church.
HERBS.
Epigraph:
Tam
Marti quam Mercurio.
In
this division are contained:
The
Comedy called Supposes. Folio.
1.
The
Tragedy called Iocasta. Fol.
73
The
fruit of Reconciliation. 129
The
force of true Friendship. 131
The
force of Love in Strangers. 132
The
praise of brown beauty. 134
The
Partridge and the Merlin. 135
The
vertue of Ver. 136
The
complaint of a Dame in absence. 138
The
praise of a Countesse.
139
The
affection of a lover. 140
The
complaint of a Dame suspected. 141
A
Riddle. 143
The
shield of Love. 144
The
gloze upon Dominus
ijs opus habet. 145
Gascoigne’s
counsel to Dive. Fol.
148
Gascoigne’s
counsel to Wythipole. 151
Gascoigne’s
woodmanship. Fol. 156
Gascoigne’s
gardenings. 160
Gascoigne’s
journey into Holland. 163
SUPPOSES:
A Comedy written in the Italian tongue by Ariosto, Englished by
George Gascoigne of Grays Inn Esquire, and there presented. 1566.
The
names of the Actors.
Balia, the
Nurse.
Polynesta, the
young woman.
Cleander, the
Doctor, suitor to Polynesta.
Pasiphilo, the
Parasite.
Carion, the
Doctor’s man.
Dulipo, fained
servant and lover of Polynesta.
Erostrato, fained
master and suitor to Polynesta.
Dalio
& Crapyno servants
to fained Erostrato.
Scenaese, a
gentleman stranger.
Paquetto
& Petrucio his
servants.
Damon, father
to Polynesta.
Nevola, and
two other his servants.
Psyteria, an
old hag in his house.
Phylogano, a Sicilian gentleman,
father to Erostrato.
Lytio, his
servant.
Ferrarese, an
Innkeeper of Ferrara.
The
Comedie presented as it were in Ferrara.
The
Prologue or argument.
I Suppose
you are assembled here, supposing to reap the fruit of my travails:
and to be plain, I mean presently to present you with a Comedy called
Supposes:
the very name wherof may peradventure drive into every of your heads
a sundry Suppose, to suppose, the meaning of our supposes. Some
percase will suppose we mean to occupy your ears with sophistical
handling of subtil Suppositions. Some other wil suppose we go about
to decipher unto you some quaint concepts, which hitherto have been
only supposed as it were in shadowes: and some I see smiling as
though they supposed we would trouble you with the vain suppose of
some wanton Suppose. But understand, this our Suppose is nothing else
but a mistaking or imagination of one thing for another. For you
shall see the master supposed for the servant, the servant for the
master: the freeman for a slave, and the bondslave for a freeman: the
stranger for a well-known friend, and the familiar for a stranger.
But what? I suppose that even already you suppose me very fond, that
have so simply disclosed unto you the subtleties of these our
Supposes: where otherwise indeed I suppose you shoulde have heard
almost the last of our Supposes, before you could have supposed any
of them aright. Let this then suffice.
the Nurse. Polynesta, the yong woman.
BALIA
Here
is nobody, come forth Polynesta, let
us look about, to be sure least any man hear our talk: for I think
within the house the tables, the planks, the beds, the portals, yea
and the cupboards themselves have ears.
might as well have said, the windows and the doors: do you not see
how they harken?
BALIA
Well
you jest fair, but I would advise you take heed, I have bidden you a
thousand times beware: you will be spied one day talking with Dulipo.
And
why should I not talk with Dulipo, as
well as with any other, I pray you?
BALIA
I
have given you a wherefor for this why many times: but go too, follow
your own advice till you overwhelm us all with sudden mishap.
A
great mishap I promise you: Mary God’s blessing on their heart that
set such a brooch on my cap.
BALIA
Well,
look well about you: a man would think it were enough for you
secretly to rejoice, that by my help you have passed so many pleasant
nights together: and yet by my truth I do it more than half against
my will, for I would rather you had settled your fancy in some noble
family yea and it is no small grief unto me, that (rejecting the
suits of so many nobles and gentlemen) you have chosen for your
darling a poor servaunt of your fathers, by whom shame and infamy is
the best dower you can look for to attain.
And
I pray you: whom may I thank but gentle nurse? That continually
praising him, what for his personage, his courtesy, and above all,
the extreme passions of his mind, in fine you would never cease till
I accepted him, delighted in him, and at length desired him with no
less affection, than he erst desired me.
BALIA
I
cannot deny, but at the beginning I did recommend him unto you (as
indeed I may say that for myself I have a pityful heart) seeing the
depth of his unbridled affection, and that continually he never
ceased to fill my ears with lamentable complaints.
Nay,
rather that he filled your purse with bribes and rewards, Nurse.
BALIA
Well,
you may judge of Nurse as you list. Indeed I have thought it always a
deede of charity to help the miserable young men, whose tender youth
consumeth with the furious flames of love. But be you sure if I had
thought you would have passed to the terms you now stand in, pity nor
pension, penny nor pater noster should ever have made Nurse once to
open her mouth in the cause.
No,
of honesty, I pray you, who first brought him into my chamber? Who
first taught him the way to my bed but you? Fie, Nurse, fie, never
speak of it for shame, you will make me tell a wise tale anon.
BALIA
And
have I these thanks for my good will? Why then I see well I shall be
counted the cause of all mishap.
Nay,
rather the author of my good hap (gentle Nurse) for I would thou
knewest I love not Dulipo, nor
any of so mean estate, but have bestowed my love more worthily than
thou deemest: but I will say no more at this time.
BALIA
Then
I am glad you have changed your mind yet.
Nay,
I neither have changed, nor will change it.
BALIA
Then
I understande you not, how said you?
Mary,
I say that I love not Dulipo, nor
any such as he, and yet I neither have changed nor will change my
mind.
BALIA
I
cannot tell, you love to lie with Dulipo very well. This
gear is Greek to me: either it hangs not well together, or I am very
dull of understanding. Speak plain, I pray you.
I
can speak no plainer, I have sworn to the contrary.
BALIA
How?
Make you so dainty to tell it Nurse, least she should reveal it? You
have trusted me as far as may be, (I may show to you) in things that
touch your honor if they were known: and make you strange to tell me
this? I am sure it is but a trifle in comparison of those things
wherof heretofore you have made me privy.
Well,
it is of greater importance than you think, Nurse: yet would I tell
it you under condition and promise that you shall not tell it again,
nor give any sign or token to be suspected that you know it.
BALIA
I
promise you of my honesty, say on.
Well,
hear you me then: this young man whom you have always taken
for Dulipo, is
a noble born Sicilian,
his right name Erostrato, son
to Philogano, one of the worthiest men in that country.
BALIA
How Erostrato? Is
it not our neighbour, which?
Hold
thy talking, Nurse, and harken to me, that I may explain the whole
case unto thee. The man whom to this day you have supposed to
be Dulipo, is (as I say) Erostrato, a gentleman that
came from Sicilia to study in this City, and even at his
first arrival met me in the street, fell enamoured of me, and of such
vehement force were the passions he suffered, that immediately he
cast aside both long gown and books, and determined on me only to
apply his study. And to the end he might the more commodiously both
see me and talk with me, he exchanged both name, habit, clothes and
credit with his seruant Dulipo (whom only he brought with
him out of Sicilia) and so with the turning of a hand,
of Erostrato a gentleman, he became Dulipo, a
serving man, and soon after sought service of my father, and obtained
it.
BALIA
Are
you sure of this?
Yea,
out of doubt: on the other side Dulipo took upon him the
name of Erostrato his master, the habit, the credit, books,
and all things needful to a student, and in short space profited very
much, and is now esteemed as you see.
BALIA
Are
there no other Sicilians here: nor none that pass this way,
which may discover them?
Very
few that pass this way, and few or none that tarry here any time.
BALIA
This
hath been a strange adventure: but I pray you, how hang these things
together? That the student whom you say to be the servant, and not
the master, is become an earnest suitor to you, and requireth you of
your father in marriage?
That
is a policy devised between them, to put Doctor Dotipole out of
conceit: the old dotard, he that so instantly doth lie upon my father
for me. But look where he comes, as God help me it is he, out upon
him, what a lusky yonker is this? Yet I had rather be a Noon a
thousand times, than be combred with such a coistrel.
BALIA
Daughter,
you have reason, but let us go in before he come any nearer.
Polynesta
goeth in, and Balya stayeth a little while after, speaking a worde or
two to the doctor, and then departeth.
Doctor. Pasiphilo, Parasite. Balia, Nurse.
these dames here, or did my eyes dazzle?
sir. Here were Polynesta and her nurse.
my Polynesta here? Alas, I knew her not.
BALIA
He
must have better eyesight that should marry your Polynesta, or
else he may chance to oversee the best point in his tables sometimes.
Sir,
it is no marvel, the air is very misty today: I myselfe knew her
better by her apparel than by her face.
In
good faith and I thank God I have my eyesight good and perfit, little
worse than when I was but twenty years old.
can it be otherwise? you are but young.
am fifty years old.
tells ten less than he is.
sayst thou of ten less?
I
say I would have thought you ten less, you look like one of six and
thirty, or seven and thirty at the most.
am no less than I tell.
are like enough to live fifty more: show me your hand.
is Pasiphilo a Chiromancer?
is not Pasiphilo? I pray you show me it a little.
it is.
how straight and infract is this line of life? You will live to the
years of Melchisedech.
wouldest say, Mathusalem.
is it not all one?
perceive you are no very good Bibler, Pasiphilo.
Yes,
sir, an excellent good Bibler, specially in a bottle: oh what a mount
of Venus here is? But this light serveth not very well, I will behold
it another day, when the air is clearer, and tell you somewhat,
peradventure to your contentation.
You
shall do me great pleasure: but tell me, I pray thee Pasiphilo, whome
dost thou thinke Polynesta liketh better, Erostrato or me?
Why?
You out of doubt: she is a gentlewoman of a noble mind, and maketh
greater accompt of the reputation she shall have in marrying your
worship, than that poor scholar, whose birth and parentage God
knoweth, and very few else.
he taketh it upon him bravely in this country.
Yea,
where no man knoweth the contrary: but let him brave it, bost his
birth, and do what he can, the virtue and knowledge that is within
this body of yours, is worth more than all the country he came from.
It
becometh not a man to praise himselfe: but indeed I may say (and say
truely) that my knowledge hath stood me in better stead at a pinch,
than could all the goods in the world. I came out of Otranto when
the Turks won it, and first I came to Padua, after
hither, whereby reading, counseling, and pleading, within twenty
years. I have gathered and gained as good as ten thousand Ducats.
Yea,
Mary, this is the right knowledge: Philosophy, Poetry, Logic, and all
the rest, are but pickling sciences in comparison to this.
But
pickling indeed, whereof we have a verse:
The
trade of Love doth fill the boisterous bags,
They
swim in silk, when others royst in rags.
excellent verse, who made it? Virgil?
it is written in one of our gloses.
Sure
who soever wrote it, the moral is excellent, and worthy to be written
in letters of gold. But to the purpose: I think you shall never
recover the wealth that you lost at Otranto.
I
think I have doubled it, or rather made it four times as much: but
indeed, I lost my only son there, a child of five years old.
great pity.
I had rather have lost al the goods in the world.
alas: by God and grafts of such a stock are very geason in these
days.
know not whether he were slain, or the Turks took him and kept him as
a bond slave.
Alas,
I could weep for compassion, but there is no remedy but patience, you
shall get many by this young damsel with the grace of God.
if I get her.
her? Why doubt you of that?
Her father holds me off with delays, so that I must needs doubt.
Content
yourself, sir, he is a wise man, and desirous to place his daughter
well: he will not be too rash in his determination, he will think
well of the matter: and let him think, for the longer he thinketh,
the more good of you shall he think: whose wealth? Whose virtue?
Whose skill? or whose estimation can he compare to yours in this
City?
hast thou not told him that I would make his Daughter a dower of two
thousand ducats?
even now, I came but from thence since.
said he?
but that Erostrato had proferred the like.
can he make any dower, and his father yet alive?
Think
you I did not tell him so? Yes I warrant you, I forgot nothing that
may further your cause: and doubt you not, Erostrato shall
never have her unless it be in a dream.
Well,
gentle Pasiphilo, go thy ways and tell Damon I
require nothing but his daughter. I will none of his goods: I shall
enrich her of mine own: and if this dower of two thousand ducats
seems not sufficient, I will make it five hundred more, yea a
thousand, or what so ever he will demaund rather than fail: go
to Pasiphilo, show thyselfe friendly in working this feat
for me: spare for no cost, since I have gone thus far, I will be
loath to be out bidden. Go.
shall I come to you again?
my house.
thou wilt.
I come at dinner time?
would bid thee to dinner, but it is a Saincts’ even which I have
ever fasted.
till thou famish.
speaketh of a dead man’s fast.
hearest me not.
thou understandest me not.
I
dare say thou art angry I bid thee not to dinner: but come if thou
wilt, thou shalt take such as thou findest.
Think you I know not where to dine?
art not to seeke.
be you sure, there are enow will pray me.
That
I know well enough Pasiphilo, but thou canst not be better
welcome in any place than to me, I will tarry for thee.
since you will needes, I will come.
then, and bring no news but good.
than my reward by the rood.
exit, Pasiphilo restat.
Dulipo.
PASIPHILO
O Miserable
covetous wretch, he findeth an excuse by S. Nicolas fast, because I
should not dine with him, as though I should dine at his own dish: he
maketh goodly feasts I promise you, it is no wonder though he think
me bound unto him for my fare: for over and besides that his
provision is as scant as may be, yet there is great difference
between his diet and mine. I never so much as sip of the wine that he
tasteth, I feed at the borde’s end with brown bread: Mary, I reach
always to his own dish, for there are no more but that only on the
table. Yet he thinks that for one such dinner I am bound to do him
all the service that I can, and think me sufficiently rewarded for
all my travel, with one such festiual promotion. And yet peradventure
some men think I have great gains under him: but I may say and swear,
that this dozen years I have not gained so much in value as the
points at my hose (which are but three with codpiece point and all):
he thinks that I may feede upon his favour and fair words: but if I
could not otherwise provide for one, Pasiphilo were in a
wise case. Pasiphilo hath no pastures to pass in than one,
I warrant you: I am of houshold with this scholar Erostrato, (his
rivale) as well as with Domine
Cleander: now
with the one, and then with the other, according as I see their
caters provide good cheer at the market: and I find the means so to
handle the matter, that I am welcome to both. If the one sees me talk
with the other, I make him believe it is to harken news in the
furtherance of his cause: and thus I become a broker on both sides.
Well, let them both apply the matter as well as they can, for indeed
I will travel for none of them both: yet will I seem to work wonders
on each hand. But is not this one of Damon’s servants
that commeth forth? It is: of him I shall understand where his master
is. Whither goeth this jolly gallant?
DULIPO
I
come to seek somebody that may accompany my master at dinner: he is
alone, and would faine have good company.
PASIPHILO
no further, you could neuer have found one better than me.
DULIPO
have no commission to bring so many.
PASIPHILO
many? I will come alone.
DULIPO
canst thou come alone, that hast continually a legion of ravening
wolves within thee?
PASIPHILO
dost (as servants commonly do) hate all that love to visit their
masters.
DULIPO
why?
PASIPHILO
they have too many teeth as you think.
DULIPO
because they have too many tongues.
PASIPHILO
I pray you what did my tongue ever hurt you?
DULIPO
speak but merrily with you Pasiphilo. Go in, my master is
ready to dine.
PASIPHILO
Dineth he so earely?
DULIPO
that riseth early, dineth early.
PASIPHILO
I
would I were his man, master doctor never dineth till noon, and how
delicately then God knoweth. I will be bold to go in, for I count
myself bidden.
DULIPO
were best so.
intrat. Dulipo restat.
Hard
hap had I when I first began this unfortunate enterprise: for I
supposed the readiest medicine to my miserable affects had been to
change name, clothes, and credit with my servant, and to place myself
in Damon’s service: thinking that as shivering cold by
glowing fire, thirst by drink, hunger by pleasant repasts, and a
thousand such like passions find remedy by their contraries, so my
rest less desire might have found quiet by continual contemplation.
But alas, I find that only love is unsaciable: for as the fly playeth
with the flame till at last she is cause of her own decay, so the
lover that thinketh with kissing and colling to content his
unbrideled appetite is commonly seen the only cause of his own
consumption. Two years are now past since (under the colour
of Damon’s service) I have been a sworn servant
to Cupid: of whom I have received as much favour and grace
as ever man found in his service. I have free liberty at all times to
behold my desired, to talk with her, to embrace her, yea (be it
spoken in secret) to lie with her. I reap the fruits of my desire:
yet as my joyes abound, even so my pains increase. I fare like the
covetous man, that having all the world at will, is never yet
content: the more I have, the more I desire. Alas, what wretched
estate have I brought myself unto, if in the end of all my
farfetches, she be given by her father to this old doting doctor,
this buzzard, this bribing villain, that by so many means seeketh to
obtain her at her fathers hands? I know she loveth me best of all
others, but what may that prevail when perforce she shall be
constrained to marry another? Alas, the pleasant taste of my sugared
joyes doth yet remain so perfect in my remembrance, that the least
sop of sorrow seemeth more sour than gall in my mouth. If I had never
known delight, with better contentation might I have passed these
dreadful dolors. And if this old Mumpsimus (whom the pocks
consume) should win her, then may I say, farewell the pleasant talk,
the kind embracings, yea farewell the sight of my Polynesta, for
he like a jealous wretch will pen her up, that I think the birds of
the air shall not win the sight of her. I hoped to have cast a block
in his way, by the means that my servant (who is supposed to
be Erostrato, and
with my habit and credit is wel esteemed) should proffer himself a
suitor, at the least to countervail the doctor’s proffers. But my
master knowing the wealth of the one, and doubting the state of the
other, is determined to be fed no longer with fair words, but to
accept the doctor (whom he right well knoweth) for his son in law.
Well, my servant promised me yesterday to devise yet again some new
conspiracy to drive master doctor out of conceit, and to lay a snare
that the fox himself might be caught in: what it is, I know not, nor
I saw him not since he went about it: I will go see if he be within,
that at least if he help me not, he may yet prolong my life for this
once. But here commeth his lackey: ho Jack pack, where is Erostrato?
Here
must Crapine be coming in with a basket and a stick in his hand.
the Lackey. Dulipo.
he is in his skin!
horeson boy, I say, how shall I find Erostrato?
him? How mean you, by the weeke or by the year?
crack halter, if I catch you by the ears, I shall make you answer me
directly.
me a little.
faith sir, I have no leisure.
we try who can run fastest?
legs be longer than mine, you should have given me the advantage.
to, tell me where is Erostrato?
I
left him in the street, where he gave me this casket, (this basket I
would have said) and had me bear it to Dalio, and return to
him at the Duke’s Palace.
If
thou see him, tell him I must needs speak with him immediately: or
abide awhile, I will go seek him myself, rather than he suspected by
going to his house.
departeth, and Dulipo also: after Dulipo commeth in again seeking
Erostrato.
Erostrato.
I think
if I had as many eyes as Argus, I could not have sought a
man more narrowly in every street and every by lane, there are not
many gentlemen, scholars, nor merchants in the city of Ferrara, but
I have met with them, except him: peradvuenture he is come home
another way: but look where he commeth at the last.
good time have I spied my good master.
For
the love of God call me Dulipo (not master), maintain the credit
that thou hast hitherto kept, and let me alone.
sir let me sometimes do my duty unto you, especially where nobody
heareth.
Yea,
but so long the Parat useth to cry knap in sport, that at the last
she calleth her master knave in earnest: so long you will use to call
me master, that at the last we shall be heard. What news?
excellent, we have as good as won the wager.
how happy were I if this were true?
Hear
you me, yesterday night in the evening I walked out, and
found Pasiphilo, and with small entreating I had him home
to supper, where by such means as I used, he became my great friend,
and told me the whole order of our adversary’s determination: yea,
and what Damon doth intend to do also, and hath promised me
that from time to time, what he can espy he will bring me word of it.
cannot tell whether you know him or not, he is not to trust unto, a
very flattering and a lying knave.
know him very well, he cannot deceive me: and this that he hath told
me I know must needs be true.
what was it in effect?
That Damon had
purposed to give his daughter in marriage to this doctor, vpon the
dower that he hath proffered.
these your good newes? Your excellent news?
a while, you will understand me before you hear me.
Well,
say on.
answered to that, I was ready to make her the like dower.
said.
you heard not the worst yet.
God, is there any worse behind?
Worse?
Why, what assurance could you suppose that I might make without some
special consent from Philogano my father?
DULIPO
Nay,
you can tell, you are better scholar than I.
you have lost your time: for the books that you toss nowadays treat
of small science.
thy jesting, and proceede.
I
said further, that I received letters lately from my father, whereby
I understood that he would be here very shortly to perform all that I
had proffered: therefore I required him to request Damon on
my behalf, that he would stay his promise to the doctor for a
fortnight or more.
This
is somewhat yet, for by this means I shall be sure to linger and live
in hope one fortnight longer: but, at the forthnights end
when Philogano commeth not, how shall I then do? Yea, and
though he came, how may I anyway hope of his consent, when he shall
see, that to follow this amorous enterprise, I have set aside all
study, all remembrance of my duty, and all dread of shame. Alas,
alas, I may go hang myself.
Comfort
yourself, man, and trust in me: there is a slave for every sore, and
doubt you not, to this mischief we shall find a remedy.
friend, revive me, that hitherto since I first attempted this matter
have been continually dying.
Well,
harken a while then: this morning I took my horse and rode into the
fields to solace myself, and as I passed the ford beyond S.
Anthony’s gate, I met at the foot of the hill a gentleman
riding with two or three men: and as me thought by his habit and his
looks, he should be none of the wisest. He saluted me, and I him: I
asked him from whence he came, and whither he would? He answered that
he had come from Venice, then from Padua, now was going to Ferrara,
and so to his country, which is Siena. As soon as I knew
him to be a Senese, suddenly lifting up my eyes, (as it were with an
admiration) I said unto him: Are you a Senese, and come to Ferrara?
Why not, saide he: quoth I (half and more with a trembling voice)
know you the danger that should ensue if you be known in Ferrara to
be a Senese? He more than halfe amazed, desired me earnestly to tell
him what I meant.
understand not whereto this tendeth.
believe you: but harken to me.
to, then.
I
answered him in this sort: Gentleman, because I have heretofore found
very courteous entertainment in your country, (being a student
there,) I accompt myself as it were bound to a Senese: and therefore
if I knew of any mishap towards any of that country, God forbid but I
should disclose it: and I marvel that you knew not of the injury that
your countrymen offered this other day to the ambassadors of
Count Hercules.
tales he telleth me: what appertain these to me?
If
you will harken a while, you shall find them no tales, but that they
appertain to you more than you think for.
I
told him further, these ambassadors of Count Hercules had
diverse mules, wagons, and charettes, laden with diverse costly
jewels, gorgeous furniture, and other things which they carried as
presents, (passing that way) to the king of Naples: the which were
not only staid in Siene by the officers whom you call
customers, but searched, ransacked, tossed and turned, and in the end
exacted for tribute, as if they had been the goods of a mean
merchant.
Whither
the devil will he? Is it possible that this gear appertain anything
to my cause? I find neither head nor foot in it.
how impatient you are: I pray you stay a while.
to yet a while, then.
I
proceeded, that upon these causes the Duke sent his chancellor to
declare the case unto the Senate there, of whom he had the most
uncourteous answer that ever was heard: wherupon he was so enraged
with all of that country, that for revenge he had sworn to spoil as
many of them as ever should come to Ferrara, and to send them home in
their doublet and their hose.
I pray thee how couldest thou upon the sudden devise or imagine such
a lie? And to what purpose?
shall hear by and by a thing as fit for our purpose, as any could
have happened.
would fain hear you conclude.
You
would fain leap over the stile, before you come at the edge: I would
you had heard me, and seen the gestures that I enforced to make him
believe this.
believe you, for I know you can counterfeit well.
Further
I said, the Duke had charged upon great penalties, that the
innholders and vittlers should bring word daily of as many Seneses as
came to their houses. The gentleman being (as I guessed at the first)
a man of small sapientia, when
he heard these news, would have turned his horse another way.
By
likelihood he was not very wise when he would believe that of his
country, which if it had been true every man must needs have known
it.
Why
not? When he had not been in his country for a month past, and I told
him this had happened within these seven days.
he was of small experience.
I
thinke, of as little as may be: but best of all for our purpose, and
good adventure it was, that I met with such a one. Now harken, I pray
you.
an end, I pray thee.
He,
as I say, when he heard these words, would have turned the bridle:
and I faining a countenance as though I were somewhat pensieve and
careful for him, paused a while, and after with a great sigh said to
him: Gentleman, for the courtesie that (as I said) I have found in
your country, and because your affairs shall be the better
dispatched, I will find the means to lodge you in my house, and you
shall say to every man, that you are a Sicilian of Catania, your name
Philogano, father to me that am indeed of that country and city,
called here Erostrato. And I (to pleasure you) will (during your
abode here) do you reverence as you were my father.
upon me, what a gross hedded fool am I? Now I perceive whereto this
tale tendeth.
and how like you of it?
but one thing I doubt.
is that?
Mary,
that when he hath been here two or three dayes, he shall hear of
every man that there is no such thing between the Duke and the Town
of Siena.
As
for that let me alone, I do entertain and will entertain him so well,
that within these two or three days I will disclose unto him all the
whole matter, and doubt not but to bring him in for performance of as
much as I have promised to Damon: for what hurt can it be to him,
when he shall bind a strange name and not his own?
What,
think you he will be entreated to stand bound for a dower of two
thousand Ducates by the year?
why not, (if it were ten thousand) as long as he is not indeed the
man that is bound?
if it be so, what shall we be the nearer to our purpose?
When we have done as much as we can, how can we do any more?
where have you left him?
the Inn, because of his horses: he and his men shall lie in my
house.
brought you him not with you?
thought better to use your advise first.
go take him home, make him all the cheer you can, spare for no cost,
I will allow it.
look where he commeth.
Is
this he? Go meet him, by my troth he looks even like a good soul, he
that fisheth for him, might be sure to catch a cod’s head: I will
rest here a while to decipher him.
espieth the Senese and goeth towards him: Dulipo standeth aside.
Senese. Paquetto and Petrucio, his seruants. Erostrato.
that travaileth in this world passeth by many perils.
You
say true sir, if the boat had been a little more laden this morning
at the ferry, we had been all drowned, for I think, there are none of
us that could have swum.
speak not of that.
Oh,
you mean the foul way that we had since we came from this Padua, I
promise you, I was afraid twice or thrice, that your mule would have
lien fast in the mire.
what a blockhead thou art! I speak of the peril we are in presently
since we came into this city.
A
great peril I promise you, that we were no sooner arrived, but you
found a friend that brought you from the Inn, and lodged you in his
own house.
Yea,
Mary, God reward the gentle young man that we met, for else we had
been in a wise case by this time. But have done with these
tales, and take you heed, and you also sirra, take heed that none of
you say we be Seneses, and remember that you call me Philogano
of Catania.
I shall never remember these outlandish words, I could well remember
Haccanea.
say, Catania, and not Haecanea, with a
vengeance.
another name it then when neede is, for I shall never remember it.
hold thy peace, and take heed thou name not Siene.
say you, if I fain myselfe dum as I did once in the house
of Crisobolus?
as thou thinkest best: but look where commeth the gentleman whom we
are so much bound unto.
EROSTRATO
my dear father Philogano.
my good son Erostrato.
EROSTRATO
is well said, be mindful of your tong, for these Fereareses be
as crafty as the devil of hell.
no, be you sure we will do as you have bidden us.
EROSTRATO
For
if you should name Siene they would spoil you immediately,
and turn you out of the town, with more shame than I would should
befall you for a thousand crowns.
warrant you, I was giving them warning as I came to you, and I doubt
not but they will take good heed.
EROSTRATO
Yea,
and trust not the servants of my houshold too far, for they are
Ferrareses all, and never knew my father, nor came neuer in Sicilia:
this is my house, will it please you to go in? I will follow.
They
go in. Dulipo tarrieth and espieth the Doctor coming in with his
man.
alone.
DULIPO
This
gear hath had no evil beginning, if it continues so and fall to happy
end. But is not this the silly doctor with the side bonet, the doting
fool, that dare presume to become a suitor to such a peerless
paragone? Oh, how covetousness doth blind the common sort of
men. Damon, more desirous of the dower than mindful of his
gentle and gallant daughter, hath determined to make him his son in
law, who for his age may be his father in law: and hath greater
respect to the abundance of goods, than to his own natural child. He
beareth well in mind to fill his own purse, but he little remembreth
that his daughter’s purse shall be continually empty, unless master
doctor fill it with double duck eggs. Alas: I jest and have no joy, I
will stand here aside and laugh a little at this lobcock.
espieth the Doctor and his man coming.
the doctor’s man. Cleander. Dulipo.
CARION
Master,
what the devil mean you to go seek guests at this time of the day?
The mayor’s officers have dined ere this time, which are always the
last in the market.
come to seek Pasiphilo, to the end he may dine with me.
CARION
As
though six mouths and the cat for the seventh, be not sufficient to
eat an harlotry shotterell, a pennyworth of cheese, and half a score
spurlings: this is all the dainties you have dressed for you and your
familie.
greedie gut, art thou afeard thou shalt want?
CARION
am afeard indeed, it is not the first time I have found it so.
I make some sport with this gallant? What shall I say to him?
art afeard belike that he will eat thee and the rest.
CARION
rather that he will eat your mule, both hear and hide.
and hide? And why not flesh and all?
CARION
she hath none. If she had any flesh, I think you had eaten her
yourself by this time.
may thank you then, for your good attendance.
CARION
she may thank you for your small allowance.
faith now let me alone.
thy peace, drunken knave, and espy me Pasiphilo.
Since
I can do no better, I will set such a staunce betweene him and
Pasiphilo, that all this town shall not make them friends.
CARION
Could
you not have sent to seek him, but you must come yourself? Surely you
come for some other purpose, for if you would have had Pasiphilo to
dinner, I warrant you he would have tarried here an hour since.
Hold
thy peace, here is one of Damon’s servants, of him I
shall understand where he is: good fellow, art not thou one
of Damon’s servants?
sir, at your comandement.
tell me then, hath Pasiphilo been there this day or no?
sir, and I think he be there still, ah, ah, ah.
laughest thou?
a thing, that every man may not laugh at.
that Pasiphilo had with my master this day.
talk I pray thee?
may not tell it.
it concern me?
I will say nothing.
me.
can say no more.
would but know if it concern me, I pray thee, tell me.
would tell you, if I were sure you would not tell it again.
me, I will keep it close: Carion give us leave a little, go
aside.
my master should know that it came by me, I were better die a
thousand deaths.
shall never know it, say on.
but what assurance shall I have?
lay thee my faith and honesty in pawn.
pretty pawn, the fulkers will not lend you a farthing on it.
but amongst honest men it is more worth than gold.
Marie sir, but where be they? But will you needs have me tell it unto
you?
I pray thee if it anything appertain to me.
Yes,
it is of you, and I would gladly tell it you, because I would not
have such a man of worship so scorned by a villain ribald.
pray thee, tell me then.
will tell you so that you will swear never to tell it to Pasiphilo,
to my master, nor to any other body.
it is some toy devised to get some money of him.
think I have a book here.
CARION
If
he knew him as well as I, he would never go about it, for he may as
soon get one of his teeth from his jawes with a pair of pinchers, as
a penny out of his purse with such a conceit.
Here
is a letter will serve the turn: I swear to thee by the contents
hereof never to disclose it to any man.
I
will tell you, I am sorry to see how Pasiphilo doth abuse you,
persuading you that always he laboureth for you, where indeed, he
lieth on my master continually, as it were with tooth and nail for a
stranger, a scholar, born in Sicilia they call
him Roscus or arskiss, he hathe a mad name I can never hit
upon it.
thou recknest it as madly: is it not Erostrato?
That
same I should never have remembered it: and the villany speaketh al
the evil of you that can be devised.
whom?
my master, yea, and to Polynesta herself sometimes.
it possible? Ah slave! And what saith he?
evil than I can imagine: that you are the miserablest and most
niggardly man that ever was.
by me?
that as often as he commeth to your house, he is like to die for
hunger, you fare so well.
the devil take him else.
And
that you are the testiest man, and mosta diverse to please in the
whole world, so that he cannot please you unless he should even kill
himself with continual pain.
devilish tong.
that you cough continually and spit, so that a dog cannot abide it.
I
never spit nor cough more than thus, uho, uho, and that but since I
caught this murre, but who is free from it?
You
say true sir, yet further he saieth, your arm holes stink, your feete
worse than they, and your breathe worst of all.
I quite him not for this gear.
that you are bursten in the cods.
villain, he lieth, and if I were not in the street thou shouldest see
them.
And
he saith, that you desire this young gentle woman, as much for other
men’s pleasure as for your own.
meaneth he by that?
that by her beauty, you would entice many young men to your house.
men? To what purpose?
guess you that.
it possible that Pasiphilo speaketh thus of me?
and much more.
doth Damon believe him?
Yea,
more than you would think: in such sort, that long ere this, he
woulde have given you a flat repulse, but Pasiphilo entreated
him to continue you a suitor for his advantage.
for his advantage?
that during your suit he might still have some reward for his great
pains.
He
shall have a rope, and yet that is more than he deserveth: I had
thought to have given him these hose when I had worn them a little
nearer, but he shall have a. etc.
good faith sir, they were but lost on him. Will you anything else
with me sir?
I have heard to much of thee already.
I will take my leave of you.
but tell me, may I not know thy name?
they call me Foul fall you.
ill favored name by my troth: art thou this country man?
sir, I was born by a castle men call Scabbe, catch you: fare you well
sir.
Oh God, how have I been abused? What a spokesman? What a messenger
had I provided?
CARION
sir, will you tarry for Pasiphilo till we die for hunger?
me not, that the devil take you both.
CARION
news whatsoever they be, like him not.
thou so hungry yet? I pray to God thou be never satisfied.
CARION
the mass no more I shall as long as I am your servant.
with mischance.
CARION
and a mischief to you, and to all such covetous wretches.
[3]
the cook. Crapine, the lackey. Erostrato, Dulipo.
DALIO
By
that time we come to the house, I trust that of these 20 eggs in the
basket we shall find but very few whole. But it is a folly to talk to
him. What the devil, wilt thou never lay that stick out of thy hand?
He fighteth with the dogs, beateth the bears, at everything in the
street he findeth occasion to tarry: if he spies a slipstring by the
way such another as himself, a page, a lackey or a dwarf, the devil
of hell cannot hold him in chains, but he will be doing with him: I
cannot go two steps, but I must look back for my younker: go to
halter sick, if you break one egg I may chance breake, etc.
will you breake? Your nose in mine etc.?
DALIO
beast.
I be a beast, yet I am no horned beast.
DALIO
Is
it even so? Is the wind in that door? If I were unloden I would tell
you whether I be a horned beast or no.
are always laden either with wine or with ale.
DALIO
spiteful boy, shall I suffer him?
cowardely beast, darest thou strike and say never a word?
DALIO
my master shall know of this gear, either he shall redress it, or he
shall lose one of us.
him the worst thou canst by me.
noise, what a rule is this?
sir, he striketh me because I tell him of his swearing.
DALIO
villaine lieth deadly, he reuiles me bicause I bid him make hast.
Holla:
no more of this. Dalio, do you make in a readiness those
pigeons, stock doves, and also the breast of veal: and let your
vessel be as clear as glass against I return, that I may tell you
which I will have roasted, and which boiled. Crapine, say
down that basket and follow me. Oh that I could tell where to
find Pasiphilo, but look where he commeth that can tell me
of him.
have you done with Philogano, your father?
have left him within, I would fain speak with Pasiphilo, can
you tell me where he is?
He
dined this day with my master, but whether he went from thence I know
not, what would you with him?
I
would have him go tell Damon that Philogano my
father is come and ready to make assurance of as much as he will
require. Now shall I teach master doctor a school point, he
travaileth to none other end but to catch Cornua, and he
shall have them, for as old as he is, and as many subtleties as he
hath learned in the law, he cannot go beyond me one ace.
dear friend, go thy ways, seek Pasiphilo, find him out, and
conclude somewhat to our contentation.
where shall I find him?
the feasts if there be any, or else in the market with the poulters
or the fishmongers.
should he do with them?
Mary,
he watcheth whose caters buy the best meat. If any buys a fat capon,
a good breast of veal, fresh salmon or any such good dish, he
followeth to the house, and either with some news, or some stale jest
he will be sure to make himself a guest.
faith, and I will seeke there for him.
must you needs find him, and when you have done I will make you
laugh.
certain sport I made today with master doctor.
why not now?
it asketh further leisure, I pray thee dispatch, and find
out Pasiphilo, that honest man.
tarrieth. Erostrato goeth out.
alone.
DULIPO
This
amorous cause that hangeth in controversie between Domine
doctor and
me, may be compared to them that play at primero: of whom some one
peradventure shall leise a great sum of money before he wins one
stake, and at last half in anger shall set up his rest: win it: and
after that another, another, and another, till at last he draws the
most part of the money to his heap: the other by litle and litle
stil diminishing his rest, till at last he becomes as near the brink,
as earst the other was: yet again peradventure fortune smiling
on him, he shal as it were by piece meal, pull out the guts of his
fellow’s bags, and bring him barer than he himself was tofore, and
so in play continue stil, (fortune favoring now this way, now
that way) till at last the one of them is left with as many
crosses as God hath brethren. Oh how often have I thought myself sure
of the upper hand herein? But I triumphed before the victory. And
then how often again have I thought the field lost? Thus have I been
tossed now over, now under, even as fortune list to whirl the wheel,
neither sure to win nor certain to loose the wager. And this practise
that now my servant hath devised, although hitherto it hath not
succeeded amiss, yet can I not count myself assured of it: for I
feare still that one mischance or other will come and turn it
topsy-turvy. But look where my master commeth.
comming in, espieth Dulipo and calleth him.
Dulipo. Nevola, and two more servants.
sir.
DALIO
Go
in and bid Neuola and his fellowes come hither that I may
tell them what they shall go about, and go you into my study:
thereupon the shelf you shall find a roll of writings which John of
the Dean made to my Father, when he sold him the Grange farm,
endorsed with both their names: bring it hither to me.
shall be done, sir.
DALIO
Go,
I will prepare other manner of writings for you than you are aware
of. O fools that trust any man but themselves nowadays: oh spiteful
fortune, thou dost me wrong I think, that from the depth of Hell pit
thou hast sent me this servant to be the subversion of me and all
mine. Come hither sirs, and hear what I shall say unto you: go
into my study, where you shall finde Dulipo, step to him
all at once, take him and (with a cord that I have laid on the table
for the nonce) bind him hand and foot, carry him into the dungeon
under the stairs, make fast the dore and bring me the key, it hangeth
by upon a pin on the wall. Dispatch and do this gear as privily as
you can: and thou, Nevola, come hither to me again with
speed.
I shall.
DALIO
Alas,
how shall I be revenged of this extreme despite? If I punish my
servant according to his devilish deserts, I shall heap further cares
upon my own head: for to such detestable offences no punishment can
seem sufficient, but only death, and in such cases it is not lawful
for a man to be his own carver. The laws are ordained, and officers
appointed to minister justice for the reddress of wrongs: and if to
the potestates I complain me, I shall publish my own reproach to the
world. Yea, what should it prevail me to use all the punishments that
can be devised? The thing once done cannot be undone. My daughter is
deflowered, and I utterly dishonested: how can I then wipe that blot
off my brow? And on whom shall I seek revenge? Alas, alas, I myself
have been the cause of all these cares, and have deserved to bear the
punishment of all these mishaps. Alas, I should not have committed my
dearest darling in custody to so careless a creature as this olde
nurse: for we see by common proof, that these olde women be either
peevish, or pitiful: either easily enclined to evil, or quickly
corrupted with bribes and rewards. O wife, my good wife (that now
liest cold in the grave), now may I well bewail the want of thee, and
mourning now may I bemoan that I miss thee: if thou hadst lived such
was thy governement of the least things that thou wouldest prudently
have provided for the preservation of this pearl. A costly jewel may
I well accompt her, that hath been my chief comfort in youth, and is
now become the corosive of my age. O Polynesta, full evil
hast thou requited the clemency of thy careful father: and yet to
excuse thee guiltless before God, and to condemn thee guilty before
the world, I can count none other but my wretched self the caytife
and causer of all my cares. For of all the duties that are requisite
in human life, only obedience is by the parents to be required of the
child: where on the other side the parents are bound, first to
beget them, then to bring them forth, after to nourish them, to
preserve them from bodily perils in the cradle, from danger of soul
by godly education, to match them in consort enclined to virtue, to
banish them all idle and wanton company, to allow them sufficient for
their sustentation, to cut off excess the open gate of sin, seldom or
never to smile on them unless it be to their encouragement in virtue,
and finally, to provide them mariages in time convenient, lest
(neglected of vs) they learn to set either too much or too litle by
themselves. Five years are past since I might have married her, when
by continual excuses I have prolonged it to my own perdition. Alas, I
should have considered, she is a collop of my own flesh: what should
I think to make her a princess? Alas alas, a poor kingdom have I now
caught to endowe her with. It is too true, that of all sorrows this
is the head source and chief fountain of all furies: the goods of the
world are uncertain, the gains to be rejoyced at, and the loss not
greatly to be lamented. Only the children cast away, cutteth the
parents throat with the knife of inward care, which knife will kill
me surely, I make none other accompt.
seruants come to him againe.
Damon. Pasiphilo.
we have done as you had us, and here is the key.
DALIO
Well,
go then, Nevola, and seeke master Casteling the
jailer, he dwelleth by S. Antony’s gate, desire him too lend me a
pair of the fetters he useth for his prisoners, and come again
quickly.
sir.
DALIO
Hear
you, if he asks what I would do with them, say you cannot tell, and
tell neither him nor any other, what is become of Dulipo.
out.
I
warrant you sir. Fie upon the devil, it is a thing almost
impossible for a man nowadays to handle money, but the metal will
stick on his fingers: I marvelled always at this fellow of
mine, Dulipo, that of the wages he received, he could
maintain himselfe so bravely apparelled, but now I perceive the
cause, he had the disbursing and receipt of all my master’s
affairs, the keys of the granair, Dulipo here, Dulipo there,
favoure with my master, in favour with his daughter, what would you
more, he was Magister
factotum:
he was as fine as the Crusader, and we silly wretches as course as
canvas: well, behold what it is come to in the end, he had been
better to have done less.
PASIPHILO
saiest true Nevola, he hath done too much indeed.
whence commest thou, in the devil’s name?
PASIPHILO
of the same house thou camest from, but not out of the same door.
had thought thou hadst been gone long since.
PASIPHILO
When
I arose from the table, I felt a rumbling in my belly, which made me
run to the stable, and there I fell asleep upon the straw, and have
lain there ever since. And thou? Whether goest thou?
master hath sent me on an errand in great hast.
PASIPHILO
I pray thee?
I may not tell. Farewell.
PASIPHILO
As
though I need any further instructions. Oh God, what news I heard
euen now, as I lay in the stable: O good Erostrato and
pore Cleander, that have so earnestly stroven for this
damsel, happy is he that can get her, I promise you, he shall be sure
of more than one at a clap that catcheth her, either Adam or Eve
within her belly. Oh God, how men may be deceived in a woman? Who
would haue believed the contrary but that she had been a virgin? Ask
the neighbours and you shall hear very good report of her. Marke her
behaviours and you would have judged her very maidenly: seldom seen
abroad but in place of prayer, and there very devout, and no gaser at
outward sights, no blaser of her beauty above in the windows, no
stale at the door for the bypassers. You would have thought her a
holy young woman. But much good do it, Domine Doctor, he shall be
sure to lack no corn in a dear year, whatsoever he have
with her else: I beshrew me if I let the marriage anyway. But is not
this the old scabbed quean that I heard disclosing all this gear to
her master, as I stood in the stable ere now? It is she. Whither
goeth Psiteria?
espieth Psiteria coming.
Pasiphilo.
a gossip of mine hereby.
To tattle of the goodly stir that thou keptst concerning Polynesta.
no: but how knew you of that gear?
told me.
When did I tell you?
Even
now when you told it to Damon, I both saw you and heard you,
though you saw not me: a good part I promise you, to accuse the poor
wench, kill the old man with care, over and besides the danger you
have brought Dulipo and the nurse unto, and many more, fie,
fie.
I was to blame, but not so much as you think.
how not so much? did I not hear you tell?
Yes,
but I will tell you how it came to pass: I have known for a great
while, that this Dulipo and Polynesta have lain together, and all by
the means of the nurse: yet I held my peace, and never told it. Now
this other day the nurse sell on scolding with me, and twice or
thrice called me drunken old whore, and such names that it was too
bad: and I called her bawd, and told her that I knew well enough how
often she had brought Dulipo to Polynesta’s bed: yet all this while
I thought not that anybody had heard me, but it befell clean
contrary: for my master was on the other side of the wall, and heard
all our tale, whereupon he sent for me, and forced me to confess all
that you heard.
why wouldest thou tell him? I would not for etc.
if I had thought my master would have taken it so, he should rather
have killed me.
How could he take it?
Alas,
it pitieth me to see the poor young woman how she weepes, wailes, and
tears her hair: not esteeming her own life half so dear as she doth
poor Dulipo’s: and her father, he weepes on the other side, that it
would pierce an heart of stone with pity: but I must be gone.
that the gunpowder consume thee, old trot.
fained.
EROSTRATO
What
shall I do? Alas, what remedy shall I find for my rueful estate? What
escape, or what excuse may I now devise to shift over our subtle
supposes? For though to this day I have usurped the name of my
master, and that without check or control of any man, now shall I be
openly deciphered, and that in the sight of every man: now shall it
openly be known, whether I be Erostrato the gentleman,
or Dulipo the servant. We have hitherto played our parts in
abusing others: but now commeth the man that will not be abused, the
right Philogano the right father of the
right Erostrato: going to seek Pasiphilo, and
hearing that he was at the water gate, behold I espied my
fellow Litio, and by and by my old master Philogano setting
forth his first step on land: I too fuge and away hither as fast as I
could to bring word to the right Erostrato, of his right
father Philogano, that to so sudden a mishap some subtle
shift might be upon the sudden devised. But what can be imagined to
serve the turn, although we had months respite to beat our brains
about it, since we are commonly known, at the least supposed in this
town, he for Dulipo, a slave and servant to Damon, and I
for Erostrato a gentleman and a student? But behold, runs Crapine to
yonder old woman before she gets within the doors, and desires her to
call out Dulipo: but hear you? If she asks who would speak
with him, say thyself and none other.
espieth Psyteria coming, and sendeth his lackey to her.
Psyteria. Erostrato, fained.
woman, you gossip, thou rotten whore, hearest thou not, old witch?
A
rope stretch your young bones, either you must live to be as old as
I, or be hanged while you are young.
pray thee, looke if Dulipo be within.
that he is I warrant him.
him then to come hither and speak a word with me, he shall not
tarry.
yourself, he is otherwise occupied.
tell him so, gentle girl.
tell you he is busy.
is it such a matter to tell him so, thou crooked crone?
rope stretch you, Mary.
pox eat you, Mary.
wilt be hanged, I warrant thee, if thou live to it.
thou wilt be burnt, I warrant thee, if the canker consumes thee not.
I come near you hempstring, I will teach you to sing solfa.
on, and if I get a stone I will scare crows with you.
with a mischief, I think thou be some devil that would tempt me.
EROSTRATO
Crapine: heare
you? Come away, let her go with a vengeance, why come you not? Alas,
look where my master Philogano commeth: what shall I do?
where shall I hide me? He shall not see me in these clothes, nor
before I have spoken with the right Erostrato.
espieth Philogano coming, and runneth about to hide him.
Ferrarese, the innkeeper. Litio, a seruant.
PHILOGANO
Honest
man it is even so: be you sure there is no love to be compared like
the love of the parents towards their children. It is not long since
I thought that a very weighty matter should not have made me come out
of Sicilia, and yet now I have taken this tedious toil and
travail upon me, only to see my son, and to have him home with me.
my faith sir, it hath been a great travail indeed, and too much for
one of your age.
PHILOGANO
Yea,
be you sure: I came in companie with certain gentlemen of my country,
who had affairs to dispatch as far as to Aneona, from
thence by water to Ravenna, and from Ravenna hither,
continually against the tide.
and I think that you had but homely lodging by the way.
PHILOGANO
The
worst that ever man had: but that was nothing to the stir that
the searchers kept with me when I came aborde the ship:
Jesus, how often they untrussed my male, and ransaked a little
capcase that I had, tossed and turned all that was within it,
searched my bosom, yea, my breeches, that I assure you I thought they
would have flayed me to search between the fell and the flesh for
fardings.
I have heard no less, and that the merchants bob them sometimes, but
they play the knaves still.
PHILOGANO
Yea,
be you well assured, such an office is the inheritance of a knave,
and an honest man will not meddle with it.
Well,
this passage shall seem pleasant unto you when you shall find your
child in health and well: but I pray you, sir, why did you not rather
send for him into Sicilia, than to come yourself, sepecially since
you had none other business? Peradventure you had rather endangered
yourself by this noisome journey, than hazard to draw him from his
study.
PHILOGANO
Nay,
that was not the matter, for I had rather have him give over his
study altogether and come home.
If you minded not to make him learned, to what end did you send him
hither at the first?
PHILOGANO
I
will tell you: when he was at home he did as most young men do, he
played many mad pranks and did many things that liked me not very
well: and I, thinking that by that time he had seen the world, he
would learn to know himself better, exhorted him to study, and put in
his election what place he would go to. At the last he came hither,
and I think he was scarce here so soon as I felt the want of him, in
such sort, as from that day to this I have passed few nights without
tears. I have written to him very often that he should come home, but
continually he refused still, beseeching me to continue his study,
wherein he doubted not (as he said) but to profit greatly.
he is very much commended of all men, and especially of the best
reputed students.
PHILOGANO
I
am glad he hath not lost his time, but I care not greatly for so much
knowledge. I would not be without the sight of him againeso long, for
all the learning in the world. I am old now, and if God should call
me in his absence, I promise you I think it would drive me into
desperation.
is commendable in a man to love his children but to be so tender over
them is more womanlike?
PHILOGANO
Well,
I confess it is my fault: and yet I will tell you another cause of my
comming hither, more weighty than this. Diverse of my country haue
been here since he came hither, by whom I have sent unto him, and
some of them haue been thrice, some four or five times at his house,
and yet could never speak with him. I fear he applies his study so
that he will not lose the minute of an hour from his book. What,
alas, he might yet talk with his countrymen for a while: he is a
young man, tenderly brought up, and if he fare thus continually night
and day at his book, it may be enough to drive him into a frenzy.
enough were as good as a feast. Loe you sir here is your
son Erostratoe’s house, I will knock.
PHILOGANO
I pray you knock.
hear not.
PHILOGANO
again.
think they be aspleep.
LITIO
If
this gate were your grandefather’s soul, you could not knock more
softly, let me come: ho, ho, is there anybody within?
commeth to the window, and there maketh them answer.
the cook. Ferrarese, the innholder. Philogano. Litio, his man.
devil of hell is there? I think he will break the gates in pieces.
LITIO
Mary,
sir, we had thought you had been asleep within, and therefore we
thought best to wake you: what doth Erostrato?
is not within.
the door, good fellow, I pray thee.
you think to lodge here, you are deceived, I tell you, for here are
guests enow already.
good fellow, and much for thy master’s honesty by our Lady: and
what guests, I pray thee?
is Philogano, my master’s father, lately come out
of Sicilia.
Thou
speakest truer than thou art aware of, he will be, by that time thou
hast opened the door: open, I pray thee heartily.
It
is a small matter for me to open the door, but here is no lodging for
you, I tell you plain, the house is full.
whom?
told you: here is Philogano, my maister’s father come
from Catania.
when came he?
He
came three hours since, or more, he alighted at the Angel, and left
his horses there: afterwards my master brought him hither.
fellow, I think thou hast good sport to mock me.
Nay,
I think you have good sport to make me tarry here, as though I have
nothing else to do: I am matched with an unruly mate in the kitchen.
I will go look to him another while.
think he be drunken.
FERRARESE
he seems so: see you not how red he is about the gills?
fellow, what Philogano is it whom thou talkest of?
honest gentleman, father to Erostrato my master.
where is he?
within.
we see him?
think you may if you be not blind.
to, go tell him here is one would speak with him.
that I will willingly do.
cannot tell what I should say to this gear. Litio, what
thinkest thou of it?
LITIO
I
cannot tell you what I should say sir, the world is large and
long, there may be more Philoganos and more Erostratos
than one, yea and more Ferraras, more Sicilias, and more Catanias:
peradventure this is not that Ferrara whiche you sent your son unto.
Peradventure
thou art a fool, and he was another that answered us even now. But be
you sure honest man, that you mistake not the house?
FERRARESE
Nay,
then god help, think you I know not Erostrato’s house? Yes, and
himself also: I saw him here no longer since than yesterday. But here
comes one that will tell us tidings of him, I like his countenance
better than the others that answered at the window erewhile.
draweth his hed in at the window, the Senese commeth out.
Philogano. Dalio.
you speak with me, sir?
PHILOGANO
sir, I would fain know whence you are.
I am a Sicilian, at your commandement.
PHILOGANO
part of Sicilia?
PHILOGANO
shall I call your name?
name is Philogano.
PHILOGANO
trade do you occupy?
PHILOGANO
merchandise brought you hither?
I came only to see a son that I have here whom I saw not these two
years.
PHILOGANO
call they your son?
PHILOGANO
son?
verily.
PHILOGANO
are you Philogano?
same.
PHILOGANO
a marchant of Catania?
need I tell you so often? I will not tell you a lie.
PHILOGANO
you have told me a false lie, and thou art a villain and no better.
you offer me great wrong with these injurious words.
PHILOGANO
Nay,
I will do more than I have yet proffered to do, for I will prove thee
a liar, and a knave to take upon thee that thou art not.
I am Philogano of Catania, out of all doubt, if I
were not I would be loth to tell you so.
PHILOGANO
see the boldness of this brute beast, what a brasen face he setteth
on it?
you may beleive me if you list: what wonder you?
PHILOGANO
I
wonder at thy impudence, for thou, nor nature that framed thee, can
ever counterfeit thee to be me, ribald villain, and lying wretch that
thou art.
DALIO
Shall
I suffer a knave to abuse my master’s father thus? Hence villain,
hence, or I will sheath this good falchion in your paunch: if my
master Erostrato finds you prating here on this fashion to his
father, I would not be in your coat for more cony skins than I gat
these twelve months: come you in again sir, and let this cur bark
here till he bursts.
pulleth the Senese in at the doors.
Litio. Ferrarese.
likest thou this gear?
LITIO
Sir,
I like it as evil as may be: but have you not often heard tell of the
falsehood of Ferrara, and now may you see, it falleth out
accordingly.
FERRARESE
you do not well to slander the city, these men are no Ferrareses you
may know by their tongue.
LITIO
Well,
there is never a barrel better herring, between you both: but indeed
your officers are most to blame, that suffer such faults to escape
unpunished.
FERRARESE
know the officers of this? Think you they know of every fault?
LITIO
Nay,
I think they will know as little as may be, especially when they have
no gaines, by it, but they ought to have their ears as open to hear
of such offences, as the inngates be to receive guests.
thy peace, fool.
LITIO
the mass I am afeard that we shall be proved fools both two.
what shall we do?
LITIO
would think best we should go seeke Erostrato himself.
FERRARESE
will wait upon you willingly, and either at the schools, or at the
convocations, we shall find him.
By
our Lady I am weary, I will run no longer about to seek him, I am
sure hither he will come at the last.
LITIO
mind gives me that we shall find a new Erostrato ere it be
long.
FERRARESE
Look
where he is, whether runs he? stay you awhile, I will go tell him
that you are here: Erostrato, Erostraro, ho Erostrato, I
would speak with you.
Erostrato
is espied vpon the stage running about.
Erostrato. Ferrarese. Philogano. Litio. Dalio.
can I hide me no longer. Alas, what shall I do: I will set a good
face on, to bear out the matter.
Philogano your father is come out of Sicilia.
me that I know not, I have been with him and seen him already.
it possible? And it seemeth by him that you know not of his coming.
have you spoken with him? When saw you him, I pray you?
Look
you where he stands, why go you not to him? Look you Philogano,
behold your dear son Erostrato.
PHILOGANO
is not Erostrato: this seemeth rather to be Dulipo, and
it is Dulipo indeed.
doubt you of that?
saith this honest man?
PHILOGANO
sir, indeed you are so honorably glad, it is no maruell if you look
big.
whome speaketh he?
PHILOGANO
God help, do you not know me?
far as I remember, sir, I never saw you before.
PHILOGANO
is good gear, this honest man will not know me.
you take your marks amiss.
LITIO
Did
I not tell you of the falsehood of Ferrara, master? Dulipo hath
learned to play the knave indifferently well since he came hither.
PHILOGANO
I say.
Friend,
my name is not Dulipo, ask you thorough out this town of
great and small, they know me: ask this honest man that is with you,
if you will not believe me.
Indeed,
I never knew him otherwise called than Erostrato: and so they
call him, as many as know him.
LITIO
Master,
now you may see the falsehood of these fellows: this honest man your
host, is of counsel with him, and would face us down that it
is Erostrato: beware of these mates.
Friend,
thou dost me wrong to suspect me, for sure I never heard him
otherwise called than Erostrato.
What
name could you hear me called by, but by my right name? But I am wise
enough to stand prating here with this old man, I think he be mad.
PHILOGANO
Ah
runagate, ah villain traitor, dost thou use thy master thus? What
hast thou done with my son, villain?
this dog barke here still? And will you suffer him master thus to
revile you?
in, come in, what wilt thou do with this pestil?
will rap the old cackabed on the costard.
Away
with it, and you sirra, lay down these stones: come in at door
everyone of you, bear with him for his age, I pass not of his evil
words.
taketh all his servants in at the doors.
Philogano.
Ferrarese. Litio.
PHILOGANO
Alas,
who shall relieve my miserable estate? To whom shall I complain?
Since he whom I brought up of a child, yea, and cherished him as if
he had been mine own, doth now utterly deny to know me: and you whom
I took for an honest man, and he that should have brought me to the
sight of my son, are compact with this false wretch, and would face
me down that he is Erostrato. Alas, you might have some compassion of
my age, to the misery I am now in, and that I am a stranger desolate
of all comfort in this country: or at the least, you should have
feared the vengeance of God the supreme judge (which knoweth the
secrets of all hearts) in hearing this false witness with him, whom
heaven and earth do know to be Dulipo and not Erostrato.
LITIO
If
there be many such witnesses in this coūtrey, men may go about to
proue what they wil in cōtrouersies here.
Well
sir, you may judge of me as it pleaseth you: and how the matter
commeth to pass I know not, but truly, ever since he came first
hither, I have known him by the name of Erostrato, the son of
Philogano, a Cathanese: now
whether he be so indeed, or whether he be Dulipo (as you allege) let
that be proved by them that knew him before he came hether. But I
protest before God, that which I have said, is neither a matter
compact with him, nor any other, but even as I have heard him called
and reputed of al men.
PHILOGANO
Out
and alas, he whom I sent hither with my son to be his servant, and
to give attendance on him, hath either cut his throat, or by some
evil means made him away: and hath not only taken his garments, his
books, his money, and that which he brought out of Sicilia with him,
but usurpeth his name also, and turneth to his own commodity the
bills of exchange that I have always allowed for my son’s expences.
Oh miserable Philogano, oh unhappy old man: oh eternal God, is
there no judge? No officer? No higher powers whom I may complain unto
for redress of these wrongs?
Yes
sir, we have potestates, we have judges, and above all, we have a
most just prince: doubt you not, but you shall have justice if your
cause be just.
PHILOGANO
Bring
me then to the judges, to the potestates, or to whom you think best:
for I will disclose a pack of the greatest knavery, a fardel of the
fowlest falsehood that ever was heard of.
LITIO
Sir,
he that will go to the law, must be sure of four things: first, a
right and a just cause; then a righteous advocate to plead; next,
favour coram
iudice; and
above all, a good purse to procure it.
have not heard, that the law hath any respect to favour: what you
mean by it I cannot tell.
PHILOGANO
you no regard to his words, he is but a fool.
pray you sir, let him tell me what is favour.
LITIO
Favour
call I, to have a friend near about the judge, who may so solicite
thy cause, as if it be right, speedy sentence may ensue without any
delays: if it be not good, then to prolong it, till at the last, thy
adversary being weary, shall be glad to compound with thee.
Of
thus much (although I never heard thus much in this country before)
doubt you not Philogano, I will bring you to an advocate
that shall speede you accordingly.
PHILOGANO
Then
shall I give myself, as it were a pray to the lawyers, whose
insatiable jaws I am not able to feed, although I had here all the
goods and lands which I possess in my own country: much less being a
stranger in this misery. I know their cautels of old: at the first
time I come they will so extol my cause, as though it were already
won: but within a sevennight or ten days, if I do not continually
feed them as the crow doth her brats, twenty times in an hour, they
will begin to wax cold, and to find cavils in my cause, saying, that
at the first I did not well instruct them, till at the last, they
will not only draw the stuffing out of my purse, but the marrow out
of my bones.
sir, but this man that I tell you of, is half a saint.
LITIO
the other half a devil, I hold a penny.
PHILOGANO
sayd Litio, indeed I have but small confidence in their
smooth looks.
Well
sir, I think this whom I mean, is no such manner of man: but if he
were, there is such hatred and evil wiòl between him and this
gentleman (whether he be Erostrato or Dulipo, whatsoever
he be) that I warrant you, he will do whatsoever he can do for you,
were it but to spite him.
PHILOGANO
What hatred is betwixt them?
are both in love and suitors to one gentlewoman, the daughter of a
wealthy man in this city.
PHILOGANO
Why?
Is the villain become of such estimation that he dare presume to be a
suitor to any gentlewoman of a good family?
sir, out of all doubt.
PHILOGANO
call you his adversary?
of the excellentest doctors in our city.
PHILOGANO
God’s love let us go to him.
we then.
Erostrato.
What
a mishap was this? That before I could meet with Erostrato, I have
light even full in the lap of Philogano: where I was constrained to
deny my name, to deny my master, and to fain that I knew him not, to
contend with him, and to revile him, in such sort, that hap what hap
can, I can never hap well in favour with him again. Therefore if I
could come to speak with the right Erostrato, I will
renounce unto him both habit and credit, and away as fast as I can
trudge into some strange country, where I may never
see Philogano again. Alas, he that of a little child hath
brought me up unto this day, and nourished me as if I had been
his own: and indeed (to confess the truth) I have no father to trust
unto but him. But look where Pasiphilo commeth, the fittest
man in the world to go on me message to Erostrato.
espieth Pasiphilo coming towards him.
Erostrato.
PASIPHILO
Two
good news have I heard today already: one that Erostrato prepared
a great feast this night: the other, that he seeketh for me. And I
too ease him of his travail, least he should run up and down seeking
me, and because no man loveth better than I to have an errand where
good cheer is, come in post hast even home to his own house: and look
where he is.
EROSTRATO
must do one thing for me if thou love me.
PASIPHILO
I love you not, who loves you? Command me.
EROSTRATO
then a little there, to Damon’s house, aske
for Dulipo, and tell him.
PASIPHILO
you what? I cannot speak with him, he is in prison.
EROSTRATO
prison? How commeth that to pass? Where is he in prison?
PASIPHILO
a vile dungeon there within his master’s house.
EROSTRATO
thou tell wherefore?
PASIPHILO
you content to know he is in prison, I have told you too much.
EROSTRATO
ever you will do anything for me, tell me.
PASIPHILO
pray you desire me not, what were you the better if you knew?
EROSTRATO
than thou thinkest Pasiphilo by God.
PASIPHILO
and yet it stands me upon more than you think, to keepe it secret.
EROSTRATO
Why Pasiphilo, is
this the trust I have had in you? Are these the fair promises you
have always made me?
PASIPHILO
the mass I would I had fasted this night with master doctor, rather
than have come hither.
EROSTRATO
Well, Pasiphilo, either
tell me, or at few words never think to be welcome to this house from
henceforth.
PASIPHILO
Nay,
yet I had rather lease all the Gentlemen in this town. But if I tell
you anything that displease you, blame nobody but yourself now.
EROSTRATO
There
is nothing can grieve me more than Dulipo’s mishap, no
not my own: and therfore I am sure thou canst tell me no worse
tidings.
PASIPHILO
Well,
since you would needs have it, I wil tell you: he was taken a bed
with your beloved Polynesta.
EROSTRATO
and doth Damon know it?
PASIPHILO
An
old trot in the house disclosed it to him, wherupon he took
both Dulipo and the nurse which hath been the broker of all
this bargain, and clapped them both in a cage, where I think they
shall have sorrow sops to their sweet meats.
EROSTRATO
Pasiphilo, go
thy ways into the kitchen, command the cook to boil and roast what
liketh thee best, I make thee supervisor of this supper.
PASIPHILO
By
the mass if you should have studied this sevennight, you could not
have appointed me an office to please me better. You shall swe what
dishes I will devise.
goeth in, Erostrato tarrieth.
Erostrato alone.
EROSTRATO
I
was glad to rid him out of the way, least he should see me burst out
of these swelling tears, which hitherto with great pain I have
prisoned in my breast, and least he should hear the echo of my
doubled sighs, which bounce from the bottom of my heavy heart. Oh
cursed I, oh cruel fortune, that so many dispersed griefs as were
sufficient to subvert a legion of lovers, hast suddenly assembled
within my careful carcass to treat this fearful heart in sunder with
desperation. Thou that hast kept my master all his youth within the
realm of Sicilia, reserving the wind and waves in a temperate
calm (as it were at his commande), now to convey his aged limbs
hither, neither sooner nor later: but even in the worst time that may
be. If at any time before thou haddest conducted him, this enterprise
had been cut off without care in the beginning: and if never so
little longer thou hadst lingered his journey, this happy day might
then have fully finished our drifts and devises. But alas, thou hast
brought him even in the very worst time, to plunge us all in the pit
of perdition. Neither art thou content to entangle me alone in thy
ruinous ropes, but thou must also catch the right Erostrato in
thy crooked claws, to reward us both with open shame and rebuke. Two
years hast thou kept secret our subtil supposes, even this day to
decipher them with a sorrowful success. What shall I do? Alas, what
shift shall I make? It is too late now to imagine any further deceit,
for every minute seemeth an hour till I find some succor for the
miserable captive Erostrato. Well, since there is no other
remedy, I will go to my master Philogano, and to him will I
tell the whole truth of the matter, that at the least he may provide
in time, before his son feel the smart of some sharp revenge and
punishment. This is the best, and thus will I do. Yet I know, that
for my own part I shall do bitter penance for my faults forepassed:
but such is the good will and duty that I bear to Erostrato, as
even with the loss of my life I must not stick to adventure anything
which may turn to his commodity. But what shall I do? shall I go seek
my master about the town, or shall I tarry his return hither? If I
meet him in the streets, he will cry out upon me, neither will he
harken to anything that I shall say, till he have gathered all the
people wondering about me, as it were at an owl. Therefore I were
better to abide here, and yet if he tarries long I will go seek him,
rather than prolong the time to Erostrato’s perill.
returneth to Erostrato.
Fained Erostrato.
PASIPHILO
Yea,
dress them, but lay them not to the fire, till they will be ready to
sit down. This gear goeth in order: but if I had not gone in, there
had fallen a foul fault.
what fault, I pray thee?
PASIPHILO
Mary, Dalio would
have laid the shoulder of mutton and the capon both to the fire at
once like a fool: he did not consider, that the one would have more
roasting than the other.
I would this were the greatest fault.
PASIPHILO
Why?
and either the one should have been burned before the other had been
roasted, or else he must have drawn them off the spite: and they
would have been served to the board either cold or raw.
hast reason, Pasiphilo.
PASIPHILO
Now
sir, if it please you I will go into the town and buy oranges,
olives, and caphers, for without such sauce the supper were more than
half lost.
are within already, doubt you not, there shall lack nothing that is
necessary.
PASIPHILO
Since
I told him these news of Dulipo, he is clean beside
himself: he hath so many hammers in his head, that his brains are
ready to burst: and let them break, so I may sup with him
tonight, what care I? But is not this Dominus
noster Cleandrus
that commeth before? Well said, by my truth we will teach master
Doctor to wear a cornered cap of a new fashion. By God, Polynesta
shall be his, he shall have her out of doubt, for I have
told Erostrato such news of her, that he will none of her.
and Philogano come in, talking of the matter in controversy.
Philogano. Litio. Pasiphilo.
CLEANDER
Yea,
but how will you prove that he is not Erostrato, having such
presumptions to the contrary? Or how shall it be thought that you
are Philogano, when another taketh upon him this same name,
and for proof bringeth him for a witness, which hath been ever
reputed here for Erostrato?
PHILOGANO
I
will tell you sir, let me be kept here fast in prison, and at my
charges let there be some man sent into Sicilia, that may bring
hither with him two or three of the honestest men in Catania, and by
them let it be proved if I or this other be Philogano, and
whether he be Erostrato or Dulipo my servant: and if
you find me contrary, let me suffer death for it.
will go salute master Doctor.
CLEANDER
will ask great labour and great expences to prove it this way, but it
is the best remedy that I can see.
save you sir.
CLEANDER
reward you as you have deserved.
shall he give me your favour continually.
CLEANDER
shall give you a halter, knave and villain that thou art.
know I am a knave, but no villain. I am your servant.
CLEANDER
neither take thee for my seruant, nor for my friend.
wherein have I offended you sir?
CLEANDER
to the gallows knave.
soft and fair sir, I pray you, i
praesequar, you
are my elder.
CLEANDER
will be even with you, be you sure, honest man.
sir? I never offended you.
CLEANDER
I will teach you: out of my sight, knave.
I am no dog, I would you wist.
CLEANDER
thou yet, villain? I will make thee.
will you make me? I see well the more a man doth suffer you, the
worse you are.
CLEANDER
villain, if it were not for this gentleman, I would tell you what I.
Nay, I am as honest a man as you.
CLEANDER
liest in thy throat, knave.
PHILOGANO
sir, stay your wisdom.
will you fight? Mary, come on.
CLEANDER
knave, I will meet with you another time, go your way.
when you list sir, I will be your man.
CLEANDER
if I be not even with thee, call me out.
Nay
by the mass, all is one, I care not, for I have nothing: if I had
either lands or goods, peradventure you would pull me into the law.
PHILOGANO
I perceive your patience is moved.
CLEANDER
This
villain: but let him go, I will see him punished as he hath deserved.
Now to the matter, how said you?
PHILOGANO
fellow hath disquieted you sir, peradventure you would be loth to be
troubled any further.
CLEANDER
a whit, say on, and let him go with a vengeance.
PHILOGANO
say, let them send at my charge to Catania.
CLEANDER
Yea,
I remember that well, and it is the surest way as this case
requireth: but tell me, how is he your servant? and how come you by
him? Inform me fully in the matter.
PHILOGANO
will tell you sir: when the Turks won Otranto.
CLEANDER
you put me in remembrance of my mishaps.
PHILOGANO
sir?
CLEANDER
For
I was driven among the rest out of the town (it is my native country)
and there I lost more than ever I shall recover again while I live.
PHILOGANO
a pitiful case, by S. Anne.
CLEANDER
proceed.
PHILOGANO
At
that time (as I said) there were certain of our country that scoured
those costs upon the seas, with a good bark; well appointed for the
purpose, and had espial of a Turkey vessel that came laden from
thence with great abundance of riches.
CLEANDER
peradventure most of mine.
PHILOGANO
So
they boarded them, and in the end overcame them, and brought the
goods to Palermo, whence they came, and amongst other things that
they had, was this villain my servant, a boy at that time, I think
not past five years old.
CLEANDER
I lost one of that same age there.
PHILOGANO
And
I being there, and liking the child’s favour well, proffered them
four and twenty ducates for him, and had him.
CLEANDER
Was the child a Turk? Or had the Turks brought him from Otranto?
PHILOGANO
They
said he was a childe of Otranto, but what is that to the matter?
Once 24 ducates he cost me, that I wot well.
CLEANDER
I speak it not for that sir, I would it were he whom I mean.
PHILOGANO
whom mean you sir?
sir, be not to lavish.
CLEANDER
his name Dulipo then? Or had he not another name?
what you say sir.
PHILOGANO
the devil hast thou to do? Dulipo? No sir, his name
was Carino.
well said, tell all and more to, do.
CLEANDER
Lord, if it be as I think, how happy were I? And why did you change
his name then?
PHILOGANO
We
called him Dulipo, because when he cried as chrildren do
sometimes, he would always cry on that name Dulipo.
CLEANDER
Well,
then I see well it is my own only child, whome I lost, when I lost my
country: he was named Carino after his grandfather, and this
Dulipo whom he always remembered in his lamenting, was his
foster father that nourished him and brought him up.
Sir,
have I not told you enough of the falshood of Ferrara? This gentleman
will not only pick your purse, but beguile you of your servant also,
and make you believe he is his son.
CLEANDER
goodfellow, I have not used to lie.
no, but everything hath a beginning.
CLEANDER
you not the least suspect that may be of me.
Mary, but it were good he had the most suspect that may be.
CLEANDER
Well,
hold thou thy peace a little, good follow. I pray you tell me,
Philogano: had the child any remembrance of his father’s name,
his mother’s name, or the name of his family?
PHILOGANO
did remember them, and could name his mother also, but sure I have
forgotten the name.
remember it well enough.
PHILOGANO
it then.
that I will not, Mary, you have told him too much already.
PHILOGANO
it I say, if thou can.
Can?
Ye,s by the mass, I can well enough: but I will have my tongue
pulled out, rather than tell it, unless he tell it first: do you not
perceive sir, what he goeth about?
CLEANDER
Well,
I will tell you then, my name you know already: my wife, his mother’s
name was Sophronia, the house that I came of, they call Spiagia.
I
never heard him speake of Spiagia but indeed I have heard
him say his mother’s name was Sophronia: but what of that? A
great matter I promise you. It is like enough that you two have
compacted together to deceive my master.
CLEANDER
What
needeth me more evident tokens? this is my son out of doubt whom I
lost eighteen years since, and a thousand thousand times have I
lamented for him: he should have also a mould on his left shoulder.
LITIO
He
hath a mould there indeed: and an hole in an other place to, I would
your nose were in it.
CLEANDER
Fair
words, fellow Litio: oh I pray you let us go talk with him. Oh
fortune, how much am I bound to thee if I find my son?
PHILOGANO
Yea,
how little am I beholden to fortune, that know not where my son is
become, and you whom I chose to be my advocate, will now (by the
means of this Dulipo) become my adversary?
CLEANDER
let us first go find mine: and I warrant you yours will be found also
ere it be long.
PHILOGANO
grant: go we then.
CLEANDER
the door is open, I will never knock nor call, but we will be bold to
go in.
take you heed, least he lead you to some mischief.
PHILOGANO
my son be lost what care I what become of me?
I have told you my mind, sir. Do you as you please.
and Psiteria come in.
Psyteria.
DAMON
Come
hither you old kallat, you tattling housewife, that the devil cut out
your tongue: tell me, how could Pasiphilo know of this gear but by
you?
PSYTERIA
he never knew it of me, he was the first that told me of it.
DAMON
Thou
liest, old drab, but I would advise you tell me the truth, or I will
make those old bones rattle in your skin.
PSYTERIA
if you find me contrary, kill me.
DAMON
where should he talk with thee?
PSYTERIA
talked with me of it here in the street.
DAMON
did you here?
PSYTERIA
was going to the weaver’s for a web of cloth you have there.
DAMON
what cause could Pasiphilo have to talk of it, unless thou
began the matter first?
PSYTERIA
Nay,
he began with me sir, reviling me, because I had told you of it: I
asked him how he knew of it, and he said he was in the stable when
you examined me ere while.
DAMON
Alas,
alas, what shall I do then? In at doors, old whore, I will pluck that
tongue of thine out by the roots one day. Alas, it grieveth me more
that Pasiphilo knoweth it, than all the rest. He that will have a
thing kept secret, let him tell it to Pasiphilo: the people
shall know it, and as many as have ears and no more. By this time he
hath told it in a hundreth places. Cleander was the
first, Erostrato the second, and so from one to another
throughout the city. Alas, what dower, what marriage shall I now
prepare for my daughter? O poor dolorous Damon, more miserable
than misery itself, would God it were true that Polynesta told
me ere while: that he who hath deflowered her, is of no servile
estate, (as hitherto he hath been supposed in my service) but that he
is a gentleman born of a good parentage in Sicilia. Alas,
small riches should content me, if he be but of an honest family: but
I fear that he hath devised these toys to allure my daughter’s
love. Well, I wil go examine her again, my mind giveth me that I
shall perceive by her tale whether it be true or not. But is not this
Pasiphilo that cometh out of my neighbour’s house? What the devil
aileth him to leap and laugh so like a fool in the high way?
cometh out of the town laughing.
Damon.
that I might find Damon at home.
the devil would he with me?
I may be the first that shall bring him these news.
will he tell me, in the name of God?
Lord, how happy am I? look where he is.
newes Pasiphilo, that thou art so merry?
I am merry to make you glad: I bring you joyful news.
that I have need of, Pasiphilo.
I
know sir, that you are a sorrowful man for this mishap that hath
chanced in your house, peradventure you thought I had not known of
it. But let it pass, pluck up your sprits, and rejoyce: for he that
hath done you this injury is so well borne, and hath so rich parents,
that you may be glad to make him your son-in-law.
knowest thou?
His
father Philogano, one of the worthiest men in
all Catania, is now come to the city, and is here in your
neighbour’s house.
in Erostrato’s house?
Nay,
in Dulipo’s house: for where you have always supposed
this gentleman to be Erostrato, it is not so, but your
servant whom you have emprisoned hitherto, supposed to be Dulipo, he
is indeed Erostrato: and that other is Dulipo. And
thus they have always, even since their first arrival in this city,
exchanged names, to the end that Erostrato the master,
under the name of Dulipo a servant, might be entertained in
your house, and so win the love of your daughter.
then I perceive it is even as Polynesta told me.
did she tell you so?
but I thought it but a tale.
Well,
it is a true tale: and here they will be with you by and by:
both Philogano this worthy man, and master doctor Cleander.
to do?
Cleander? Why
thereby lies another tale, the most fortunate adventure that ever you
heard: wot you what? this other Dulipo, whom all this while we
supposed to be Erostrato, is found to be the son of Cleander, whom he
lost at the loss of Otranto, and was after sold in Sicilia too
this Philogano, the strangest case that ever you heard: a
man might make a comedy of it. They will come even straight, and tell
you the whole circumstance of it themselves.
Nay,
I will first go hear the storiy of this Dulipo, be
it Dulipo or Erostrato that I have here within,
before I speak with Philogano.
shall you do well sir, I will go tell them that they may stay a
while, but look where they come.
goeth in, Senese, Cleander and Philogano come upon the stage.
Cleander. Philogano.
SENESE
Sir,
you shall not need to excuse the matter any further, since I
have received no greater injury than by words, let them pass like
wind, I take them well in worth, and am rather well pleased than
offended: for it shall both be a good warning to me another time how
to trust every man at the first sight, yea, and I shall have good
game here after to tell this pleasant story another day in my owne
country.
CLEANDER
Gentleman,
you have reason: and be you sure, that as many as hear it, will take
great pleasure in it. And you Philogano may think, that God
in heaven above, hath ordained your coming hither at this present to
the end I might recover my lost son, whom by no other means I could
ever have found out.
PHILOGANO
Surely
sir I think no less, for I think that not so much as a leaf falleth
from the tree, without the ordinance of God. But let us go seek
Damon, for me thinketh every day a year, every hour a day, and
every minute too much till I see my Erostrato.
CLEANDER
I
cannot blame you, go we then. Carino take you that
gentleman home in the meantime, the fewer the better to be present at
such affairs.
stayeth their going in.
Cleander.
doctor, will you not show me this favour, to tell me the cause of
your displeasure?
CLEANDER
Gentle Pasiphilo, I
must needs confess I have done thee wrong, and that I believed tales
of thee, which indeed I find now contrary.
am glad then that it proceed rather of ignorance than of malice.
CLEANDER
believe me, Pasiphilo.
sir, but yet you should not have given me such foul words.
CLEANDER
Well,
content thyself Pasiphilo, I am thy friend as I have always
been: for proof whereof, come sup with me tonight, and from day to
day this seven night be thou my guest. But behold, here
cometh Damon out
of his house.
they come all together.
Philogano. Damon. Erostrato. Pasiphilo. Polinesta.
Nevola, and other servants.
CLEANDER
We
are come unto you sir, to turn you sorrow into joy and gladness: the
sorrow, we mean, that of force you have sustained since this mishap
of late fallen in your house. But be you of good comfort sir, and
assure yourself, that this young man which youthfully and not
maliciously hath committed this amorous offence, is very well able
(with consent of this worthy man his father) to make you sufficient
amends: being born in Catania of Sicilia, of a
noble house, no way inferior unto you, and of wealth (by the report
of such as know it) far exceeding that of yours.
PHILOGANO
And
I here in proper person, do present unto you sir, not only my assured
friendship and brotherhood, but do earnestly desire you to accept my
poor child (though unworthy) as your son-in-law: and for recompence
of the injury he hath done you, I proffer my whole lands in dower to
your daughter: yea, and more would, if more I might.
CLEANDER
And
I sir, who have hitherto so earnestly desired your daughter in
marriage, do now willingly yield up and quite claim to this young
man, who both for his years and for the love he beareth her, is most
meetest to be her husband. For where I was desirous of a wife by whom
I might have issue, to leave that little which God hath sent me: now
have I little need, that (thanks be to God) have found my dearly
beloved son, whom I lost of a child at the siege of Otranto.
DAMON
Worthy
gentleman, your friendship, your alliance, and the nobility of your
birth are such, as I have much more cause to desire them of you than
you to request of me that which is already granted. Therefore I
gladly and willingly receive the same, and think myself most happy
now of all my life past, that I have gotten so toward a son-in-law to
myself, and so worthy a father-in-law to my daughter: yea, and much
the greater is my contentation, since this worthy gentleman master
Cleander, doth hold himself satisfied. And now behold your son.
father.
PASIPHILO
Behold
the natural love of the child to the father: for inward joye he
cannot pronounce one word, instead whereof he sendeth sobs and tears
to tell the effect of his inward invention. But why do you abide here
abroad? Will it please you to go into the house sir?
said well: will it please you to go in sir?
I have brought you sir, both fetters and bolts.
with them now.
Yea, but what shall I do with them?
Mary,
I will tell thee Neuola: to make a right end of our
supposes, lay one of those bolts in the fire, and make thee a
suppository as long as my arme, God save the sample. Nobles and
gentlemen, if you suppose that our supposes have given you sufficient
cause of delight, show some token, whereby we may suppose you are
content.
plauserunt.